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Sickle Cell Disease: Aplastic Crisis

Topic Overview

If a person with
sickle cell disease is infected with parvovirus, the
virus that causes
fifth disease in children, an aplastic crisis may
develop.
Bone marrow suddenly stops producing red blood cells,
which results in sudden and severe
anemia. During this time, a person will often feel
tired, have pale skin, and be short of breath.

Blood transfusions might be done to treat an aplastic crisis. After a few days, the bone marrow usually recovers on its own. And red
blood cell production returns to its usual rate.footnote 1

Most aplastic
crises occur in children. This condition only occurs once in any person.

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